Since February, 10 2009 I have been tried to give my baby breastmilk, either by nursing him or pumping for him. From that time until now, many things happened. Sometimes I feel that I wanna stop, but the people around me, especially my husband always give me motivation to countinue pumping.

Someday I found this site. It’s great to know that there’s many moms like me. And I think this article is the best. Let me show you several snippets of advice to moms who want to pump exclusively, from the article:

1. Know that you are blessed among women.  The courage, stamina, and dedication it takes to exclusively pump are saint-worthy.

saint-worthy, wow..makes me fly to the sky….

2. Know that every time you feel exhausted, cheated, angry, sad, frustrated, bored, or start hearing your pump talk to you in the middle of the night — you are not alone.  And it is all normal.  I don’t know how many times I’ve decided to “just let my milk dry up” — and just as I decide to do that, it flows into those two bottles like ambrosia… The sheer physical and emotional energy it takes to pump exclusively require a special kind of inner fortitude. I have learned a lot about my inner resources through this experience. It is not for the feint of heart. You are a warrior-woman.

yeah, definitely. Sometimes I think that I’m going to be crazy, doing this stuff all day long, no time for just go to bathroom!

3. Know that if you do indeed give up, you are NOT a failure.  The fact that we even pump as long as we do is a sign of our motherlove.  Whether it’s 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, you are doing the best thing for your child.  Banish all thoughts of failure from your head (because they will be there, trust me).

yes, the thought was there, but thanks to my husband who helped me out in this one third part of our journey.

4. Know that the key to supply is three fold:  a regular pumping schedule, enough rest, and plenty of nourishment.  These three things, plus the belief (I guess you could call it faith) that you CAN DO THIS is all you need to keep producing milk. (Fenugreek worked for me too, but watch for gassiness and tummy upset in you and baby after prolonged use).

I CAN DO THIS!

5. Know that part of this experience means sacrifice: of your ideas about being able to breastfeed, about your time, about your autonomy as an adult, about being the one to directly feed your baby.  But you can choose to see yourself as enslaved by your pump…or liberated by the inner journey it affords you (and the incredible sense of accomplishment, against the odds, when you succeed.) And know that helping hands — from a partner, husband, grandma, friend — are welcome. Weigh the sadness of not being able to cradle you baby as he feeds against the fact that because your husband is feeding him your milk at night, you can pump MORE milk for him.

Someday I hope my baby can exclusively breastfeed, but in this time being, exclusively pumping is our alternative way. This is also my guilty pleasure for not exclusively breastfeed his older sister.

6. Know that people might ask funny questions, or judge you, or not understand why cannot answer the phone right now…or you cannot come out of the public toilet stall right now…but keep your inner compass steady.  You are doing this because you believe it is the best thing for your beloved child.  So frankly, screw anyone who thinks otherwise!  And let them wait — no phone call of angry toilet patron should force you to put aside this vital task. It is vital to your baby…and so it is more important than anything else!

I leave my day job for this. There is no other reason for not giving him breastmilk. It’s his right anyway.

7. Know that there is a sisterhood of women who exclusively pump, and share the knowledge with others around you.  We are brave, bold, bitchin’ mamas and we should sing our praises wherever we can.

Thank you for this encouraging article, and another article from Exclusively Pumping. Go pumping!